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New Departure Corridor Directs Aircraft Over Residential Areas

An FAA plan to shift a departure corridor at Boston Logan International Airport has drawn fire from residents living under the proposed flight path.

The proposed route for the RNAV Standard Instrument Departure (SID) would direct airplanes departing to the south from Runway 33 over the town of Milton, as well as parts of Randolph and Canton. The liaison to Massport from Milton, Judy Kennedy, has told the FAA that the new flight path is "unacceptable." She says that the neighborhood already is in the flight path for airplanes arriving on Runway 4 and departing from Runway 27.

Acting Milton town administrator Annemarie Fagan posted the FAA's plan on the town's website last week after learning about it from Kennedy. She called the issue "sensitive," and declined further comment until she could speak with other elected officials at a regular meeting scheduled for February 7th.

Residents have been opposing airplane noise near Boston Logan for nearly 20 years. The FAA will be accepting public comments on the proposed corridor until February 17th. The FAA says that the route change will improve efficiency for traffic at the airport.